//------------------------------// // Enchantress of the Forest // Story: Land of Equines // by Daddy Joe //------------------------------// Enchantress of the Forest November 11th, 2012 I followed Twilight while Spike walked alongside her on a dirt path. We took a right and started to go into a forested part of the path. The forest was getting more denser the further we went in. I got a couple scratches on my arms and legs from the branches. Nothing too serious, but still annoying. “Why do you need to meet her?” Spike asked. “Zecora?” I asked. “Yeah.” Spike said. “Applejack wants me to do some of the heavy lifting on the farm, but the weights far exceeds my limitations. She told me that Zecora has all of these potions that could possibly help. I hope she has some kind of potion that can increase my strength.” I said. “Now, Caleb, you should be careful when using potions. Too much can lead to effects that may be unwanted.” Twilight warned. “Like what?” I asked. “Well, there’s this one potion that made a pony grow an extra head.” Spike said. “Spike! That’s only an old mare’s tale! What he meant to say was possible illnesses.” Twilight rephrased. “So, no extra appendages?” I asked. “Not at all.” Twilight reassured. "Well that's a relief." I said. We pushed further into the Everfree, pushing branches, leaves, and twigs out of our way until we came across a giant tree. The tree had a door on the front of it, something closely similar to Twilight’s home. On the left side was a makeshift window made of sticks and a hole in the wall of the tree. The branches of the giant tree had multicolored bottles hanging from vines that were tied on them. It kind of reminded me of some tribal artifacts you would see in the history books. “Is this the place?” I asked. “Mmm-hm, this is it.” Twilight responded. All three of us walked up the little wooden steps and Twilight knocked on the door. We waited for a sometime until the door started to creak. The door opened and sure enough, there was a zebra. However, her colors weren’t black and white as a normal zebra would obtain, but more of a light gray with dark gray stripes. This also goes for her mane and tail. Her mane was fashioned like a mohawk, not pointy or anything like that, but a thick mohawk. She also were these little gold rings around her neck and large gold earrings as well. She didn’t show any fear from the sight of me, but more of interest. “My goodness. What have you brought to ?” Zecora asked in accent that i’m pretty is from an African descent. “Hi, Zecora. This is Caleb.” Twilight introduced. “Hello.” I said. “ You can talk as well as gawk? Very interesting. Please, come in.” Zecora said. We walked in and the inside was lined up with bottles that i’m guessing were the so called potions. In the middle of the room was a big, black pot with some green concoction brewing inside it. “What brings you to my home, my dear Caleb?” Zecora asked. “I hear that you create potions for most ailments?” I asked. “That is most correct. Is there something certain that your mind wants to find?” Zecora asked. “Yes. Could you by any chance have a potion that could give me enhanced strength?” I asked. “Hmmmm.... why of course.” Zecora said while standing on her hind legs to reach the top shelf. She grabbed a bottle with her mouth that had a dark green liquid inside it. “This potion will let you posses many feats of strength that are beyond natural lengths, but I have yet to test it on another.” Zecora explained. “So, you haven't seen the effects on an actual pony?” I questioned. “Yes, unfortunately.” Zecora said as she popped the bottles cork off. She than poured the liquid into a 16 ounce cup. “If you wish to take the risks, then the effects cannot be missed.” Zecora heeded. “Are you sure you want to do this, Caleb?” Twilight asked. “Mmmmm..... Could this possibly kill me?” I asked Zecora. “No. Everything here has been brewed to be safe and anew.” Zecora assured. I took a hard, long thought into my decision and I decided to take it. I really needed to get a job in order to support myself with my new life here in Equestria. “I’ll take it.” I decided. Zecora then handed me the cup filled with the green goop. With that, I quickly swigged it all down my throat. The taste was the worst thing I’ve ever tasted. It tasted like liquified Nyquil pills. I slightly gagged after I was done. Everyone went silent in the room, waiting for the effect to happen, but nothing followed the ingestion. “Perhaps it is more of a dud. Quite crud.” Zecora remarked. “Maybe. What happens if a potion is ineffective?” I asked. “Nothing will occur, nothing will stir.” Zecora said. “Sooo…. nothing. It’ll just sit in their until it passes through?” I said. "Yes, that’s what will happen. But if something were to occur, please come back immediately for me to be sure." Zecora requested. "Okay. I'll be sure to remember that." I said. "Very good. What about you Twilight? Do you need something that I can assist you with?" Zecora asked. "No thanks, Zecora. We were just here for that one potion. Thanks for trying to help." Twilight said. "I see. My bipedal friend, it was at least worth the try." Zecora said. "It was. Thanks again for trying to help." I said. "Anytime. Farewell, my friends." Zecora called out. We waved back in response. “She seemed nice. I also thought it was pretty interesting how she would rhyme with her choice of words.” I said. "I always that was cool too. Gives her a very mystical personality." Twilight said. While we walked back to Twilight's library, my right arm jolted upward for no reason. "What was that for?" Spike asked. "I don't know. Probably just an occasional muscle spasm." I said. "Or it could be that potion." Twilight said. "Maybe." I replied. A while later, we finally found the right path to get back to Ponyville. The air was starting to get a little nippy which gave me goosebumps. By the time we got back, it was probably around noon. “Feeling up for some lunch?” Twilight asked me. “Nah, my stomach feels really funny. Probably from the potion.” I said. “I hope you aren't getting sick.” Twilight said. “I don’t think so. mMy stomach just feels very fuzzy on the inside.” I said. I sat on the couch and waited for my stomach to settle down. About twenty something minutes later, the feeling stopped and I felt normal again. Suddenly, my whole body felt really strange, almost as if all my muscles were vibrating. The feeling of numbness started to surround my entire body and then that feeling faded away too. Next.... the worst was yet to come. I felt a slight tinge of pain on my shoulder. I quickly rubbed it to relieve the knot, but it wouldn’t work. “Caleb, what’s wrong? You keep rubbing your arm.” Twilight said. “I don’t know! It feels like little pulled muscles!” I exclaimed. "You okay?" Twilight asked. "No! I don't feel okay at all!" I exclaimed once again as the pain got worse. Than my entire arm, neck and chest started to feel like they were on fire on the inside. I cried out in agony as I grabbed my sensitive spots. "Caleb!?" Twilight asked in extreme concern. “It feels like something burning me from the inside!” I cried as I started to panic. My labored breaths quickly turned into high pitched gasps of pain when another section of my body would burn. Every second, the searing hot sensation would run down my entire body until it felt like my body was being engulfed by flames from the inside. I screamed in excruciating anguish as I squirmed my body around on the floor like a ragdoll with tears running down my face. My eyes were tightly shut and my teeth were gnashed forcefully against each other. "GOD! THE PAIIIN! OH MY GOD!" I screamed. "Oh, Caleb! What should I do!?" Twilight asked, frantically. "C'mon Caleb, talk to us!" Spike exclaimed. "TWILIGHT! YOU HAVE TO TAKE ME TO THE HOSPITAL OR SOMETHING. PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!" I begged. Right after that, my entire body seized up. My body tensed upwards as I arched my back and all my fingers wiggled simultaneously. After that, I blacked out and that's all I remembered from that point on. What will happen to me next was astounding.